License to Sin?

RevJP · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:43 pm Post subject: License to Sin?

1 Cor 6:11 And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.
12 Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.
13 Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [[1] to save, sanctify, and raise it again].
14 And God both raised the Lord to life and will also raise us up by His power.

Is Paul giving us a license to sin?

I think not. He acknowledges that as indwelt christrians we are no longer bound by the constraints of the law, our salvation is not dependent upon our obedience. But I believe in this passage that he is stressing the greater truth.

As christians our love for our Lord should guide us to do what is right. To avoid that which is harmful, or 'not helpful', for the love of God, not fear of retribution.

Glorfindel · Tadpole Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 28 Location: UK

Right-on, brother!